Kitchener dominated the game. A brief barrage for about two and a half minutes and the OT winner were about the sole shining moments for the hometown team, aside from a solid performance from goalie Tyler Parsons who stopped 47 shots.

But you have to walk away from this one feeling good if you're the Rangers. They went into a tough barn, fell behind 2-0 early but came back to grab a point.

1. Confidence. As mentioned in today's story, it's there in spades. That never-say-die attitude is back and it's delivering results. That rough skid over December is ancient history and the Rangers are gathering some momentum as the second half marches on. There was a time (most of last year) when the Rangers were happy to get two points. Now they expect it.

2. David Miller. The Dragon continues to breathe fire into the Rangers. He goes from foot solder in the Soo to top line and first power play status in Kitchener. And he's handling it as if he has been doing it for years.

3. Youngsters. Captain Liam Maaskant made a point to single out the team's kids yesterday for playing a big part in the turnaround. He talked about Bunny, Mashy and Bzowey among others, which I think that is hockey talk for Bunnaman and Mascherin. #hockeynicknames

Three down:

1. Penalties. You just can't take one in the offensive zone in overtime. Nobody's dwelling on it but it just can't happen.

2. Adam Mascherin. He left last night's game with an upper body injury. It would be a big blow to lose him for any length of time as he's really starting to find his stride.

3. Killer instinct. Confidence is up but it's time to put some games away. The Rangers are second in the OHL with 13 trips to overtime.

- London is young and shy on size. Not used to seeing them get out-muscled on the puck so much. The club was brutal on picking up the Rangers' trailers tonight.

- Kitchener dominated five-on-five play and outshot London 20-10 in the second.

- Some nice work, particularly in the second period, by Kitchener's fourth unit.

- Rookie Adam Mascherin didn't play in the third period due to an upper body injury. He'll be checked out tomorrow.

- Tough one to lose but if the Rangers keep playing this way and 0utshooting opponents by 17 shots, they'll be just fine.

- Bad timing for London to take a penalty with 1:09 to go in the third. Even worse for Kitchener to get one in overtime. But, in this one, you take the point and run.

- The Rangers are now tied for sixth in the west with Owen Sound. Tonight may just have been a preview of a first round match up, as London sits third. That'd suit the Rangers just fine as Jake Paterson has had a history giving the Knights fits.

January 19, 2015

I’d love to see the OHL expand to 25 teams. For fun, here is how it would break down in five divisions (before piling on, this is a fun list, not saying these cities are getting teams).

West: Flint, Saginaw, Sarnia, Windsor, Chatham

Central: Kitchener, London, Owen Sound, Guelph, Mississauga

South: Erie, Niagara, Brantford, Burlington, Buffalo

North: Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Barrie, Timmins

East: Ottawa, Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston, Oshawa

Playing every team in your division six times and a home and home with the rest would give you 64 games. Another two each with a pair of close rivals makes it 68 tilts.

Of course, the league could tailor schedules to alleviate travel concerns for some clubs such as Barrie, Oshawa and some northern teams to keep costs and travel time down.

A team in Timmins may be a big stretch, but I’d love to see another Northern Ontario squad.

Other towns on the radar — Cornwall, upstate New York and, gulp, one in the GTA, say Vaughan?

2. The Kitchener Rangers are seventh in the OHL’s western conference. But the club has had success against the best four teams in the league having defeated Erie twice, the Soo in its sole meeting this season and Oshawa and Barrie once.

3. It’s taking London's Max Domi a while to rediscover his OHL groove. Three points in four games is nothing to scoff at but Domi was on a torrid pace (57 points in 27 games) before leaving for the world junior championships.

4. Sometimes, trades just work out for both teams.

Niagara before the Josh Ho-Sang trade: 5-13, after 13-8-2-2.

Windsor before trading Ho-Sang: 6-10-1-0 and after 12-13-0-1.

I believe that’s what you call a deal that both clubs won.

5. So some anonymous person — fan? — left a note on the car of Mississauga Steelheads owner Elliott Kerr.

It was so bad that Kerr had to post a public reply that read, in part: “Someone left a note on my car after yesterday’s game. Whoever you are, you scared my children. I am so upset about this, that I am seriously considering not attending games anymore with my family.”

It’s pure crazy. There is no other way to put it.

As some of my Twitter followers have pointed out, there is nothing more cowardly than leaving anonymous notes.

It reminds me groups on Twitter calling themselves insiders. One nameless crew contacts players about trade rumours, throws names of teenagers around the internet with little regard to facts or feelings and does it all, of course, without using a real world name.

Talk about bravery.

Opinions are awesome, the more different the better. But at least have the courage to put your name next to your words.

6. Here’s hoping that the new Flint Whalers - or whatever the team is going to be called - keep Plymouth media guy/jack-of-all-trades Peter Krupsky on board. He’s an asset to the franchise.

7. After October the Belleville Bulls were 10-3 and owned one of the best records in junior hockey. Since they are 9-15-3-3 and falling fast in the eastern conference. That’s why you play 68 games folks.

8. It has gotta be hard to be a Sudbury Wolves fan, player and coach. The team has dropped 12 straight and hasn’t won since Dec. 13. The pack was doing OK there for a bit and only losing games by one goal. But it’s getting one-sided now with opponents winning by three or more goals in the past three games.

9. Kitchener has gone to the shootout nine times this season, good for second in the OHL (Owen Sound is first with 10). Surprisingly, Gustaf Franzen, who is one of the better Rangers with the puck, is 0-for-5 in shootout attempts.

The Attack’s Petrus Palmu leads the league with 10 shootout attempts. He has scored four times. Mississauga’s Sam Babinstev is the go-to guy in the OHL with a perfect 4-for-4 record in the saw-off.

10. I felt for my namesake on Friday after the defenceman fought Kitchener’s Max Iafrate at the Aud. Us Josh Browns have to stick together.

1. Effort. The best part of the trifecta was the way the Rangers won. The team played a solid 60 minutes in every tilt and there were few phantom shifts that plagued the team during their three wins in 15 games stretch - which seems like a distant memory now. The coaching staff is getting the most out of its players and that's something they should be recognized for after taking a lot of heat during the losing stretch.

2. Jake Paterson. There is just a new feeling on the club knowing that he has everyone's back. Watching him in the shootout in Windsor - where he turned aside all three Spitfire attempts - was a treat. Selfishly, he's also a solid interview.

3. Physical play. By my count the team has 22 fighting majors this season but seven in the past five games. And it's not like goonery (is that a word?) has taken over. Most of the scraps have been honest, not cheapies. It's not a pace the team wants to keep up but the message is out there - the Rangers won't be pushed around.

Three down:

1. Protecting leads. It's still a problem. The Rangers had 3-2 lead in third on Windsor and a 2-0 lead in the third against Sarnia. The team rallied for wins in both cases, so that's a plus but it would be nice to have a stress free night once in a while.

2. Schedule. Tomorrow's tilt caps four games in six days for the Rangers. In about a week, they play five games in eight days. That's demanding even for pros, let alone teenagers.

3. Nick Magyar. Just 16 points for last year's top scorer and no goals in the past 10 games. The upside is that he's on a hot line (with Darby Llewellyn and Mason Kohn), is healthy and has played well in other aspects of the game all season. He's just not piling up the points as expected. I suspect by the season's end he'll be on a better points per game pace as there is just too much talent there.

January 17, 2015

The team is, after all, coming off one of its best wins of the season - a 3-2 victory against the mighty Oshawa Generals.

Sometimes those emotional wins can suck the life out of you. Win tonight and it would be three in a row. The last three-game run was back on Nov. 7 when the Rangers won four straight.

Just pulled into the WFCU Centre and there is a guy in the media room wearing a tuxedo. Feeling very under dressed in my reporter-wannabe-hipster look of jeans and a plaid shirt. Shoulda tossed the tuxedo t-shirt in the trunk of my car.

- This is Kitchener's longest winning streak this season since a four-gamer ended on Nov. 7.

- It was an exciting brand of hockey - albeit a bit sloppy tonight being a third game in three days for both teams. Can't ask for much more than back and forth and three straight wins. But it's the brand of hockey that the Rangers are playing that is most encouraging - hungry, a bit desperate and hard working.

January 16, 2015

Up 2-0, the Rangers gave up two goals to the Sting to send the game to extra time. But credit Kitchener for gutting out a 3-2 OT win off the blade of Frank Hora.

The win was a good sign for a team that has had trouble closing games out. The Rangers have lost nine games this season when leading or tied after two periods.

It's crunch time for the Rangers as they chase playoff positioning with 29 games to go. Right now, Kitchener sits seventh, four points up on eighth place Saginaw and five up on ninth place Windsor.

There was no rally the last time the Rangers played Oshawa, who come into the Aud tonight.

In that Oct. 5th game, Kitchener was up 3-1 in the third when the Gens roared back for a 4-3 win. And that was before the club bulked up for the post-season by adding Brent Pedersen, Dakota Mermis, Michael McCarron and Matt Mistele via trade.

- Not surprised to hear that former Ranger Brent Pedersen is making a good impression in Oshawa, even with just one goal. His strengths go far beyond points.

- I understand radio crews have to call games with their hometown fans in mind. But one of the 'Shwa guys is wearing a Generals toque and scarf. That's a bit much.

- Kitchener outshot the Gens 8-3 in the first period. Oshawa certainly didn't look like OHL contenders in that period or all game for that matter. Credit the Rangers for starting strong.

- I understand giving goalie Jake Paterson a night off once in a while (and giving Carty a start) but I think you ride Patty as long as you can. He's only here for 29 more games. Then again, what do I know. Carty looked pretty darn good tonight.

- Took five minutes for the Oshawa staff in the press box to ask me why it's so quiet at the Aud. I had the over/under at 10 minutes.

- Has anyone else noticed rookie Adam Mascherin of late? He's taking it up a notch during the second half of the season.

- Kitchener's top line - Connor Bunnaman, Ryan MacInnis and David Miller - combined for six points and had its best game since being formed.

- Full marks all around for the Rangers who got a good effort from top to bottom. It's encouraging to see a more physical style of late. Oshawa was a much bigger team and did not push the Rangers around in this one.

- Hard to believe that Max Iafrate's scrap against Josh Brown was his first this season. That was Liam Maaskant's sixth fight of the season for those counting (fifth that counts toward his OHL total as one was instigated).

January 15, 2015

First up is Sarnia, tonight. The Sting are 3-0-1-0 in their last four and six points up on the Rangers.

Friday, it's home to Oshawa - the CHL's top ranked club.

And Saturday the Rangers are back on the road to Windsor, a team that is second last in the west but 6-4 in its last 10 games. The Spits are fighting hard to snag a playoff spot from Saginaw or Kitchener.

The Rangers have added a new face. Rookie Jack Kilgour made his debut in Guelph on Sunday and is here to stay. The undrafted forward signed as a free agent after an impressive spring camp and a solid start with Jr. B Strathroy.

- A good start for Kitchener. Rangers had a 12-2 shot advantage at one point in the first period.

- Another shorthanded breakaway for Darby Llewellyn, who is turning into a fine penalty killer. No shortie this time. He has two on the season.

- A sparse crowd in Sarnia. And that's too bad since the team has been doing well this season.

- The RBC Centre has seen better days. It's looking very dated and tired. Work facilities are brutal and the resolution on the scoreboard is about as sharp as an old box TV set.

- Defenceman Frank Hora says his OT winner was the biggest goal of his career (he has four OHL goals). The sophomore has been one of the most consistent players this season and it's surprising that he didn't get an invite to an NHL rookie camp.

- Two things we're learning with the new-look Rangers - 1) Paterson gives them a chance to win every night and 2) Scoring is going to be a challenge.

- Darby Llewellyn is heating up. Give him six points in his past six games. He struggled in the second half of the season last year - 19 goals before Xmas and six after - but has turned his play around this season.

- It seems like D Max Iafrate isn't his old self. Perhaps he's bummed that he didn't get traded. Maybe not. Either way, that hard hitting fierce rearguard that was present for so much of the first half of the season has disappeared of late.

- Rookie Jack Kilgour isn't getting much ice time but he threw his body around well tonight. He certainly isn't afraid to play hard.

- That's two fights in the past three games for Mark Bzowey. Tonight, the team's smallest player took on a guy who is three years older, 40 pounds heavier and eight inches taller. Needless to say it didn't end well. But it did spark the team and for that, he got the game puck.

- I was just about to Tweet that Sarnia's Pavel Zacha wasn't too noticeable and then he pots two goals.

- Still lots of time left, but this was a massive win for the Rangers. They're chasing Sarnia while trying to hold on to a playoff spot with Saginaw and Windsor right behind them. I wonder if this is the shared experience that will help the team go on a run.

January 12, 2015

1. I had a longer piece in the works on the Jake Paterson deal but had to scrap it due to time and other assignments. I will say this, there hasn’t been a more polarizing move made by the club since GM Murray Hiebert took over.

Two things stood out most for me while watching from the sidelines.

First a segment of the fan base does not understand or like the deal. Second, Rangers' management can’t understand why said fans don’t understand or like it.

It’s fascinating to watch. Not sure I’ve ever seen the Rangers’ brass so shocked that a move they made isn’t unanimously applauded. Hiebert even called out the team’s radio crew on air and urged more positivity.

To me, the move has nothing to do with Paterson who is a phenomenal player and, as I’m beginning to learn, an equally great person. It's about the direction of the club.

The Rangers standpoint, as I see it:

The team wants to get their young crew some playoff experience (and get some playoff revenue no doubt) and Paterson helps in both regards. He didn’t cost much by today’s standards and gives the team a chance to win every night. They also wanted to bank some picks and did that by dealing Justin Bailey and Brent Pedersen, both of whom aren’t expected to return next season.

The fans standpoint, as I see it:

The team is sending a mixed message by dealing veterans who won’t return next season for draft picks and then peddling some high picks for a veteran who won’t return next season.

It feels like the move will stall the rebuilding process and leave the team with fewer picks to trade when it wants to go all the way. And if we’ve learned one thing this trade deadline period, it’s that you need all the picks you can get. It’s not about acquiring one star anymore. Look at the Soo, they went out and got three.

Moreover, if the club was in such dire need of a goalie, fans are wondering why the team didn’t address this last year. That might have shaved some time off the rebuild and given the youngins a chance to grow with a tender.

In the end both sides need to compromise. The fans need to be more patient during the rebuilding process. And the team needs to show more understanding to their fan base because without them there are no Rangers.

So let’s all get together for a group hug.

2. I realize Max Domi didn’t want to get traded out of London. But could you imagine the damage he would have done with Connor McDavid had the Otters and Knights made a swap?

3. It has been a slow start for Nick Ritchie and the Soo Greyhounds. The former Pete has no points in his first two games. But it’s early and he should come around. Besides, the ‘Hounds want him for the playoffs. Former Ranger Justin Bailey is fitting in just fine with four points in his first three games. Watch that minus-8 ranking quickly disappear.

4. I hate watching a good guy like goalie Matthew Greenfield be a third string netminder with the Rangers. For his part, he’s handling it like a pro. You’d never hear a peep out of the Florida native. But he is left twisting in the wind, wondering about his future. It’s this part of the game that I do not enjoy and why I could never be a GM.

5. Not sure Barrie got the best end of the Ben Harpur/Chadd Bauman deal that sent C.J. Garcia, Givani Smith and a hoard of picks to Guelph. If I’m the Colts, I’m doing whatever it takes to get Tyler Bertuzzi in that exchange and maybe even Jason Dickinson. Gotta go all in, don’t ya? Especially with the ‘Shwa and North Bay adding on.

6. It’s nice to see the Sarnia Sting handling business with a team that is fairly homegrown. It has been a rough ride for the franchise and the fans finally have something to cheer about. One of the best feel good stories in the OHL this year.

7. It was only a matter of time but the Niagara IceDogs are now tied for the last playoff spot in the east. In case I haven’t mentioned it enough, the ‘Dogs got goalie Brandon Hope for a fourth and seventh round pick. He has a .921 save percentage. Enough said. I wouldn't want to face the 'Dogs in the first round of the playoffs.

8. The idea of a potential Erie Otters-Soo Greyhounds playoff series is certainly very exciting. Of course games must be played first and spoilers do happen.

9. He’ll hate me for posting this photo, but Sunday’s 4-2 loss to Guelph was probably the only time I’ve seen Rangers coach Troy Smith this mad at the officiating. Some love goes out to the Mercury’s Tony Saxon for capturing the moment. That's assistant Mike McKenzie photo bombing the shot. Not sure how associate Mike Van Ryn always manages to elude the lens. #stealth

10. It’s nine losses in a row and counting for the Sudbury Wolves. You have to feel for the franchise, especially after they only lost by one goal to Niagara and the Soo last week.

1. Third line. The unit of Mason Kohn, Nick Magyar and Darby Llewellyn has been the most consistent since the trade deadline. And that's a good thing because the Rangers need a strong finish from that trio to make the playoffs.

2. David Miller. As mentioned, he scored his first goal for the Rangers. But beyond that, he plays with energy and will be a top six forward for this team going forward. He's kind of like a Brent Pedersen light in size and style but with arguably more scoring prowess.

3. Power play. Hey, it's 3-for-10 since the trade deadline and that's not half bad.

Three down:

1. Scoring chances. They have to get better. Lots of shots are great but if they're not quality than goals are going to be hard to come by.

2. Schedule. Eleven of the team's final 30 games are against the top six teams in the OHL. That's going to make any kind of a run difficult.

3. Guelph loss. The Storm was missing its best player, had five defencemen (F Jason Dickinson even filled in on the back end yesterday) and the team started a goalie who had yet to win an OHL game but still came away with the victory. The Rangers have to take advantage of teams that are ailing.

- Rookie F Jack Kilgour makes his OHL debut tonight. He was recently signed out of Jr. B Strathroy. Kilgour and F Jacob Cascagnette will remain with the Rangers for the rest of the season.

- Goalie Matt Greenfield is the odd man out again. He'll continue to practise with the club. I'm told, due to his card, that he can't be sent down to Jr. B.

- D Dmitrii Sergeev was a last minute scratch. Logan Schmidt took his place. Sergeev wasn't feeling well so the team took him out as a precaution.

- Rookie forward Mark Bzowey has posted his best back to back games for the Rangers since being shifted to centre where he is by far more effective than on the wing.

- Rangers coach Troy Smith was upset at the officials after this one. At issue was a waved off goal which he thought should have stood. The clock also failed to start after the Rangers scored to make it 4-2. The refs eventually whistled the play down, took 10 seconds off and dropped the puck at centre ice even though Kitchener had possession.

- Some nice additions by Guelph at the trade deadline. Defenceman C.J. Garcia is logging top minutes after coming over from Barrie.

- Kitchener managed 34 shots but few scoring opportunities as Bradley Van Schubert picked up his first OHL win.

- The Rangers are younger after the trade deadline and it's showing again as they're getting out-muscled on the puck.

- Newcomer David Miller scored his first goal as a Ranger and is going to be a keeper moving forward. He plays with great urgency.

Get the details of the deal and reaction from GM, coach and Paterson here. From the team's perspective, Paterson gives them that stability that has been missing in net of late. It also gives them a better chance of reaching the playoffs and perhaps pulling off an upset or two.

Fans will get a look at Paterson tonight when he starts against the Bulls. It's also the debut of winger David Miller.

For their part, the players are excited to be here. I spoke with both lads yesterday at length and they're coming in with a great attitude.

It'll be nice for their families as well. Miller hails from Burlington so going to home games was a bit of a drive for his folks when he was with the Soo. Of course Paterson was in Saginaw and now his parents are a short drive away in Mississauga.

The trade deadline ends at noon. By then, the Rangers may have one fewer goalie and a new forward.

- It was a short stay for Thomas Welsh who was reassigned to the OJHL's Georgetown Raiders. He had four assists in 13 games and was plus-1.

- Rangers jersey on the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald during pre-game ceremony was put on by the artist, not the club. Just so y'all know. Still rather disrespectful IMO.

- It couldn't have been a better start for new goalie Jake Paterson. It was his second shutout of the season and the first in almost a year for the Rangers. His mask, painted in Rangers' colours, was Tyson Teichmann's old bucket. Electrical tape was over the portion that had Teichmann's name.

- Yes, that was Mason Kohn and Mark Bzowey who fought. Two of the smaller guys on the team but they both won easily.

- Belleville had a 5-on-3 for 1:14 in the first period but did not score. Seen way too many two man advantages this year, most don't end well. What a difference a veteran netminder makes. It makes you wonder what this team could have accomplished had it gone out and found one last year or even earlier this year.

- Interview with Frank Hora after the game.

Me: What's it like playing in front of Jake Paterson?Hora: Smiles, laughs, pauses, still smiling, "It's kind of a weight off our shoulders a little bit."

- Not to take any shine away from Paterson (and more to defend Belleville goalie Charlie Graham) but the Bulls' defence didn't do Graham any favours tonight.

- That Gustaf Franzen is quick, creative and wild to watch with the puck in the corners.

- Loved the energy tonight. Fights, goals, special teams. Everyone seems to be believing that they need to chip in to win. And that's a positive moving forward.

January 06, 2015

He was 16 and playing for the Long Island Royals in New York. His mom Karen helped set up the interview.

At the time, it wasn't clear if Bailey was going to be Kitchener bound. He had lots of options but wasn't ruling out the OHL.

It's a good thing he didn't.

For the past three years he has delivered some spectacular goals for fans at the Aud.

Now, his time here is done.

Yes good old hockey - great game, cruel business.

And so, Bailey goes to the Soo as the Rangers rebuild continues.

You could see this one coming. After falling in the standings and trading veteran Brent Pedersen, it was only a matter of time. Max Iafrate is probably next.

All three have one thing in common - they all probably won't be back next season. Iafrate for sure. And keeping them around on a team that is - let's be honest - not on par yet with the OHL's premier clubs, makes getting something in return a necessity.

The Rangers did well - a good player in David Miller and three draft picks (one conditional that will not likely come to fruition). Other teams asked about Bailey but this was the best offer.

So, what does this all mean?

The team is steadfast that this is not dismantling. And it's not, unless you are 19 or older.

But here is the plan as best I can make out. This year is about making the playoffs and getting some of that coveted post-season experience. Maybe the team wins a round or more. There is still plenty of talent still here.

But next season seems to be the focus.

That's when the bulk of the club will be 19 years old - Ryan MacInnis, Gustaf Franzen, Frank Hora, David Miller, Nick Magyar, Darby Llewellyn, Dmitrii Sergeev, Logan Schmidt, Dawson Carty and Dylan Di Perna.

The Kitchener Rangers have traded leading scorer Justin Bailey to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Coming back is 18-year-old centre David Miller and a 3rd round pick in 2015, a 2nd in '16, 2nd '18 and conditional 3rd in '18.

The conditional kicks in if Bailey returns for an OA season.

Bailey, a second round draft pick by the Buffalo Sabres, had 22 goals and 19 assists for the Rangers this season.

Miller has 13 goals and 13 assists for the Soo. The Burlington native was a sixth round draft pick in 2012.

Bailey was a seventh round draft pick in 2011 for the Rangers and had 120 points in 146 games over three seasons with the club.

This is the second deal GM Murray Hiebert has pulled off since the holiday trade freeze was lifted. On Dec. 30, he sent Brent Pedersen to the Oshawa Generals for two second round picks, a third and a conditional third and fourth.

Miller will be in the lineup Wednesday against the London Knights and could be on the team for two and a half more seasons.

Kitchener's top line at practice today had Ryan MacInnis with Brandon Robinson and Mike Davies.